This guide includes a wide though carefully selected choice of places
to stay, ranging from simple but charming bed and breakfasts to
sumptuous royal palaces. Coastal areas are busiest in summer, while
Marrakech is now busy almost all year round, and particularly during the
school holidays.
Hotels
Moroccan hotels are usually either classified, with tourist
board star-
ratings, or unclassified, less expensive places with very few
comforts.
Morocco has been criticised for not using international ratings
for its
hotels. But, although in the past many of its "five-star" hotels
were not
up to standard, they now have improved services and amenities. Many
new hotels have been built, and medinas all over the country also
have
some excellent riad hotels.
Morocco has a fair number of luxurious palace hotels, as well as
numerous well-kept and friendly budget hotels, but the middle
categories can be quite grim.
Riads
For an authentic Moroccan experience, the best place to stay is
a riad, which is often hidden in the medina. These large old
houses or palaces are increasingly being converted into restaurants,
bed and breakfasts or luxurious hotels.
Riads are smaller and more intimate than ordinary hotels, with
only with a few rooms, usually centred around a tranquil, leafy
courtyard — often just a step away from the exotic markets and
intriguing alleys of the medina.
Prices vary from budget to very expensive, and the decorations
and facilities vary accordingly.
Youth Hostels
Morocco has 11 quite well-run and clean youth hostels (Auberges
de Jeunesse) in the major cities.
A membership card is not required, although members get a
reduced rate. Prices range from about 25 to 50dh per person per
night in a dormitory.
Information is available from Fédération Royale Marocaine des
Auberges de Jeunesse, Parc de la Ligue Arabe, PO Box 15998, Casa
Principale, Casablanca 21000; tel: (02) 2470952; fax: (02) 2227677.
Camping
There are very basic and inexpensive (about 10–20dh per person) campsites (muhayyem in Arabic) in all major cities and along the
coast.
Most have fairly rudimentary washing and toilet facilities, but a
few are
well kept and some upmarket ones even have swimming pools.
Security is not a priority at most sites, so do not leave
anything valuable
in your tent.
Camping outside sites is not illegal, but it's not advisable
unless you're looking for adventure.
Booking Accommodation
It's usually best to fax and ask the hotel to fax back your
confirmation, as phone bookings are not always secure.
In many hotels, particularly out of season and if you are staying a few
days, it is possible to negotiate room rates. The price categories
indicated in this guide are for a double room per night, including
breakfast and taxes: £ under 640dh ££ 640-1,600dh
£££ over 1,600dh
